Joe's Fabulous Meatballs!!!~~~

 Hello my friends! Today was a VERY lazy day for me, and I think I needed it. I have been fighting off SOMETHING and needed some down time. BUT, Joe spent all day cooking. He made his amazing meatballs, and I did help clean up, then he had his home made manicotti in the freezer so we had meatballs and manicotti for dinner. I am a LUCKY girl! He added spinach to the manicotti this time and I LOVED it. I will post the manicotti recipe on another post.

 We shared part of a bottle of red wine that our former neighbors brought us yesterday. It was delicios too. Do you like my animal print wine glasses? They are my faves:):)

My wish for you all is a happy, healthy and blessed new year. So looking forward to all that is in store for 2013. XO, PinkyHere is the recipe for the meatballs:
2 lbs. 80% lean ground beef (but he uses the meatloaf mix)
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chili flakes
1/2 tsp. fennel seed, ground
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 TBLS. oregano, chopped
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 Tbls. olive oil
Directions:
1-preheat oven to 450 degrees
2-combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand til thoroughly incorporated
3-drizzle the olie oil into a 9 by 12 baking dish to coat, we use a paper towel
4- roll the mixture into round balls making sure to apck the meat firmly
5- place the ballsinto the baking dish evenly in rows (we do 4 rows of 6)
6- roast til cooked through, about 20 mins.
7- when the meatballs are raosting, heat 4 cups of marinara sauce in a small pot.
8- when the meatballs are firm and fully cooked, drain the excess grease from the pan. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and continue roasting them for 14 mins. MANGA!!!! and ENJOY!!!!!
 Linking to these parties:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday~

Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up~

StoneGable for On the Menu Monday~

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday~

2805 for Potpourri Friday~

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~

~~~The Master Bedroom Reveal!!!~~~

Welcome!!! Since I will not be taking my Christmas down soon, I thought I would reveal our master, even though it is NOT done!!! I still need new window treatmants and a love seat in the sitting area and some other things but COME ON IN!!!!! I will keep you updated as I get things:) As you come in my dresser is on the left wall and the seating area ahead.

 We just have some pull down shades in here for now. Had to get them right away after moving in, I sure wouldn't want to subject any neighbors to us in "all our glory":):):) LOL!

 I did get some new bedding, very simple and calming. The bedding is taupe and I opted for black accents.

 This is Joe's dresser and the door to our bathroom is there on the left.

 The animal pillows are from the old house and fit in perfectly here!

 Joe installed the TV in the sitting area to swivel so it can be seen from our bed or the sitting room. That is my new dressing table to the right. It needs a little tweaking too, soon.

 All of this will be going. We plan to build a deck out back this spring and this bench will go out there. And the chair will go to the living room when I find a love seat for in here.

 I found this faux fur throw for a STEAL!!! It is SO soft.

 To the right of my dresser is my jewelry armoire.

 I LOOOVE jewelry so it is filled:):)

 I made the arrangemnt on Joe's chest many years ago.

 We have a lighted tray ceiling in here, a feature I love.

 Some os the artwork around the room:

 Joe's Dad got these velvet paintings in Vietnam when he transported troops there. I sure wish he hadn't had to do that job.......

 This was the sun setting out our windown this afternoon.

I am so glad everyone seemed to have a great Christmas. My siter and son have both left and the house is quiet again:)  I wish you all a very happy, healthy and blessed new year. Thanks so much for your visit. XO, Pinky
Linking to some parties:

Thursday's Favorite Things

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style
Stonegable
Cowgirl Up

StoneGable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits!

Tabletop Tuesday-A Stroll Thru Life

Show and Tell Saturday-Be Different Act Normal

Met Monday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net

~~~Christmas Eve Dinner Table~~~

 Good morning dear friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and got LOTS of Christmas love (and gifts too, of course)!! We hosted Christmas Eve here at the new house so I wanted to share our table with you. Of course the best present I got was the PRESENCE of our son and my sister!!!! I wanted to use my tartan tablecloth but couldn't find it. Of course AFTER the table was done I found it but wasn't about to take it all apart. So, I used a red cloth, a gold charger, my Lenox Ribbons dishes and a package at each place setting.At least the napkins were my plaid ones:)

 I made the centerpieces several years ago. They are a good height for conversation at the table. I got down to take the picture so you could see the container. Here is a little tutorial for those of you that might want to try something similiar. The deer are actually ornaments and after gluing the foam into the container I put glue on the back legs of the deer and pushed that into the foam in the center of the arrangeent. Then simply add Christmas picks and greens, pinecones or whatever you want around the edge. TA DA, simple but pretty arrangements!!! I used stems of greens and cut each piece apart. I also have a "pick machine" that adds a metal pick to whatever you have (a little florist secret).:)

 I used my matching Lenox wine glasses and my red water goblets. The little tea light holders are beaded and a new find from Pier One this year.

 I love these dishes, they are so pretty and don't scream Christmas. Holly, berries and ribbon along the edge and tiny little stars on the plates.

 The napkin rings echo the stars on the plates.

 Gold pillars next to each arrangement cast a beautiful glow on the table.

 My gold flatware is brought out for these special occasions too. Thank you to my SIL, Janie who gave me this set. I love using it, Janie!!!

 Let's light the candles!!!

 It was SNOWING all during dinner!!!! We only got less than an inch but it was SO pretty to see the big flakes coming down all during dinner and after.

 I am sorry I didn't get any shots of the FOOD!!! On the menu was chicken marsala, that everyone LOVED (something totally different this year), pierogies, assorted veggies, 2 different cranberry dishes and assorted cheesecakes for dessert!!!

 A pretty shot through the glasses.

 This is a better shot of the snowflakes.

I am TRULY blessed  to have my family all together this year. Our family has gotten much smaller as we lose loved ones so it makes each gathering more precious. Christmas dinner was at our daughter and SIL's and I will share that with you too. Thank you for all of you love and support all through the year. I truly appreciate all your visits and sweet comments, they make my day. I will be joining these parties:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday~

Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up~

StoneGable for On the Menu Monday~

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday~

2805 for Potpourri Friday~

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~

StoneGable for Tutorials Tips and Tidbits~

Susan for Tablescape Thursday

Let's Dish-Cuisine Kathleen

Seasonal Sundays-The Tablescaper

Tabletop Tuesday-A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorial Tuesday-Hope Studios

XO, Pinky

~~~The Reason For the Season~~~

 Helo my friends! I wanted to share with you the 2 Nativity sets we have displayed for Christmas. This first one is our Hummel Nativity set and it is TREASURED. It sits here on the credenza in the foyer.

The angel is watching over, hung with thread:)

The shepard on the left is Joe's favorite piece.

He just looks so humble.

The 3 kings and their camels.

Now we are moving to the tree in the morning room. Joe made this creche when I found this clay set MANY years ago. He based the design on the creche his parents had.

It is a very simple, inexpensive set but I have always loved it.

And it always goes under the tree.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I know how busy everyone is. My sister got here last night so I will be kinda MIA for awhile. I wish you all the most merry and blessed Christmas ever. God bless you all. XO, Pinky